Thank you Kristin Davis

Orphaned Baby Elephants
So nice to see that the babies finally have a prominent name attached to their plight. Please click the link (above) to view a page from the orphanage and at the bottom of the page is a link to a wonderful video Kristin made at the orphanage.

From Dame Daphne Sheldrick:

“Every person that buys ivory has killed an elephant
and its dependent young and has caused immeasurable
sorrow and suffering to many others.”
Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick MBE, MBS

Watercolors...

... from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust where orphaned baby elephants are rescued.

Watercolors from the Nursery

Each month I receive a lovely watercolor depicting a scene from the nursery. We have printed many of them out and placed them in frames to decorate our home.

Sammy

Sammy loved kittens, tutus & ballerinas. But mostly he loved us. He died a peaceful death as an old man and left us with broken hearts.

Our Old Man

Baby Bear died a peaceful death just before Christmas 2009. He was almost 17. Bear was a warrior. A brilliant feline. A blessing to our lives.

3/50 Project

May 04, 2011

Your last pair of shoes

For years my dancers have given me their last pair of pointe shoes to hang in the hallway in our Theatre. When I look at the shoes, all tattered and worn, I remember the dancers entering my studio as little girls.

I did not know our Ballet Mistress, Miss Vickie, when she was a little girl but her pointe shoes adorn our hallway. She has worked for our ballet company for 15 years. To see the girls progress from learning to stand in first position to becoming the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, is a transformation both Miss Vickie and I have witnessed and loved for many years. The clumsy little ducklings become graceful swans. Amazing.

I remember Erica being so very little and quiet as a child. Even then she had perfect posture. She blossomed in ballet class and in her final year with me, danced the part of the White Swan, Odette, in our presentation of Swan Lake. I will always remember how etheric she became as Odette and how much she loved the musical score.

Sarah has not graduated and left us yet. Being one of the youngest principal dancers in our Company has never deterred her from dancing each role with perfection. When she was 3 years old I dressed her in a fluffy, yellow tulle & chiffon costume for our annual dance recital. Now I dress her in handmade, beaded, gorgeous tutus. What a pleasure she has been to teach all these years.

Lisa came to us as a Freshman in high school after her parents relocated to Boulder City. Her technique was flawless and Miss Vickie and I were so happy to have a dancer come to us with her ability. During summer vacation she would take summer session with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson MS and after graduating from high school went on to dance with Ballet Magnificat in their apprentice company. We were very proud of her. Oddly, Lisa's last name is Thibodeau (no x on the end) even though she is no relation to Kathy & Keith (Little Ricky) Thibodeaux who direct Ballet Magnificat.

Marissa danced her final role as Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. Very petite with perfect technique, I can still see her in my mind dancing Aurora's solo in an exquisite, hand-made tutu. She was lovely. Weighing practically nothing, her partner lifted her with ease during their pas de deux. Perfection.

But of all the ballerinas I have trained in my life, my favorite ballerina is Haley. Her pointe shoes are not in the Theatre hallway. Rather they are framed along with her first pair of baby ballet slippers and are displayed in our home. I could post many more photos of autographed pointe shoes and share my memories with you of each dancer, but for those of you who read my blog you already know how much I love my girls.

Please send me your last pair of shoes, worn out with dancing as you mentioned in your letter, so that I might have something to press against my heart.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I have used this quote before when writing about my dancers. But now, as I approach retirement, it has a deeper meaning. Hope you have something you love that you can press against your heart. xoxo Amy

Comments

Oh Amy, I can just feel the love you have for these beautiful young ladies in your tender words in this post... how lovely their "last pair of shoes" each look hanging in your theatre. My favorite also is the pretty heart~framed ballet shoes and baby shoes of Haleys... you have brought tears to my eyes, but they are happy tears... I would have to say my childhood memories are what I hold dearest to my heart... sending much love to you and wishing you a beautiful Mother's Day... xoxo Julie Marie

Thank you Julie Marie ~ I want to retire completely and the impact of that is magnifying my attachment to the ballet, tutu, sparkly world I have lived in for my whole life. If I did not adore my dancers so much I think it would be much easier to let it go. This feeling I have is what all teachers must feel at some point. I hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday as well. Surely Tess will celebrate with you. xoxo Amy

Amy, as always your
words touch my heart,
but you truly SEE your
life....and I'm certain
that you HEAR it, as
well. What a role you
have played in touching
these young lives as they
have touched yours.
Sending you big hugs
for a wonderful Mother's
Day, sweet friend!
xx Suzanne

I cannot imagine what you must be going through as you think about retiring.

You'll always hear the music in your head and see dancing ballerinas. These precious little girls that you have watched grow up before you and turn into swans is something to enjoy. You have had a huge part in their lives and developing their skills and fine tuning their abilities. That won't go away!

Dear One, What will be the next phase of your life.....time will tell. This could be really exciting and rewarding as well!

After my daughter went through her divorce, I told her it's alright to cry...just don't cry too long. God will put a new song in your heart.

Normally, I would not comment on a post that you would describe as so "pink and fluffy". Even from a male perspective I think I understand this one.

I've been to the ballet twice in my life and don't pretend to know much about it except that it not only takes talent to dance, but much discipline. Discipline isn't very popular in this day and age, but is necessary in most areas of life.

It is understandable that what you have described is near and dear to your heart. Undoubtedly, you have been a positive force in these girls' lives through the years and that should be rewarding to you. The girls undoubtedly love and appreciate your influence in their lives. So, as you are considering retirement, my hat's off to you! Also, Happy Mother's Day!

*Thank you Allen* When Johnny Carson retired he broke millions of hearts. Larry King too. When I retire I will break 100 very young hearts. Maybe their first broken heart. Turning 60 this year makes me wonder how many more years I will be here and that maybe I should listen to the whisper I am hearing. I appreciate your adventure into the pink and fluffy land of my blog and I appreciate your heartfelt comment too. I accept your Happy Mothers Day salute with a Grand Curtsy. Thank you ~ Amy

HI AMY!!!
I saw your wall in person and I took a pic of that wall, I knew the moment I walked in and saw it that it was special, I could feel the closeness and Love you have for each girl hanging right there in the hall!!!
I felt touched reading your post, gosh so many things have touched my heart....boy it is great to stop and think about them though!!!
Love to you,
jamie

*Thank you Jamie* Of all the pretty objects in our Theatre, I think people are most drawn to the hallway where the pointe shoes are displayed. I remember you photographing the pointe shoes when you visited. Every time I walk down the hall, which is OFTEN, I catch a glimpse of a name written on a shoe and smile. Hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day. How could you not with your beautiful family? Love you ~ Amy

In my mind YOU are still a little girl. I remember your very, very blonde hair and how delicate you were as a child. You danced as if you were a lyrical fairy. I was charmed. I wish I was as young now as I was when I taught you because it would be my pleasure to teach your little girls how to scurry, curtsy, tippy-toe circle and learn their first arabesque. To me, nothing is more precious than a little tiny girl in a tutu. Love you lots Keri. xoxo Miss Amy

My little mother Libby

Hi Mom! I hope you have somehow figured out how to read my blog. I have a new, bionic knee that should last till I'm 80. Wish you were here so we could share everything with you. Miss you lots....
Wish you would have lived longer so you could see your beautiful granddaughters all grown up.

Orphaned Baby Elephants

My passionI am passionate about helping orphaned baby elephants whose mother's have been murdered for their ivory. Click the link above to read more about the rescue effort and please adopt a baby elephant! xoxo Amy